Joint India-Sri Lanka naval operation seizes 500kg crystal meth

Around 500 kg of crystal methamphetamine narcotics were seized from two fishing vessels in the Arabian Sea in an operation by the navies of India and Sri Lanka. The joint operation came after Indian Navy's long-range maritime patrol aircraft and drones carried out a surveillance mission in the critical sea lanes based on inputs from the Sri Lankan Navy. The two boats, along with the crew and seized narcotics, are being handed over to Sri Lankan authorities for further legal action, the Indian Navy said on Friday.

"Based on information received from the Sri Lankan Navy regarding probable narcotics smuggling by Sri Lankan flagged fishing vessels in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy responded swiftly through a coordinated operation to intercept the boats," the Indian Navy said.

The Indian Navy's Gurugram-based Information Fusion Centre (IFC) that has emerged as a key hub in tracking movements of ships and other developments in the Indian Ocean region also provided certain details for the operation, the officials said.

The Indian Navy said, "The operation reaffirms the close partnership and bonds developed between the two countries and navies. It also symbolises the combined resolve of both navies to address regional maritime challenges and ensure safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region."